Communication: What to expect?
As outlined in Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 families need to understand what is happening, what they can expect from the help and support provided by Coventry agencies, what is expected of them and be supported and empowered to say what they think. It is only by working with parents and carers that agencies have the best chance of making and sustaining changes that achieve better outcomes for children and families.
To achieve positive working relationships Coventry endeavours for all professionals to ensure that before making a referral, they fully inform families about referrals and help them to understand what information about them is being shared and why. There are some exceptions, for example when speaking to the family and/or carer, it could place the child at an increased risk of harm.
Once a referral is received, communication with children and families is key and agencies will seek to ensure that this considers any needs such as language barriers, disability and communication method.
A decision will be made in relation to a referral outcome within 1 working day and parents will be advised of the referral outcome unless MASH is unable to contact parents, in this circumstance a letter is sent advising them of the referral.
Following MASH’s involvement, it may be determined that a Children & Family Assessment will be completed with a family. If this is the case, a child or children should be seen within 5 working days of the referral.
Once a Children & Family Assessment has been completed the allocated social worker should share this with the family within 5 working days of it being approved. An outcome of the Children & Family Assessment could be support to be offered within a Child in Need Plan (CIN), if this is the case the first meeting should be held within 10 working days.
All meeting minutes and subsequent plans, including Child in Need plans. need to be recorded and distributed to family members and professionals within 10 days of the meeting occurring.
All Children’s Services staff should ensure that all recordings of the child/young person, including assessments, are written in a straightforward way which explains any acronyms and is free of jargon. Recordings should be accessible and therefore understandable to the child and/or young person and parents.